Joseph William Weidenbenner passed away at home on July 24, 2023 in Terre Haute, Indiana, at the age of 61.

Joe was defensive captain of the football team and graduated as salutatorian in 1980 from Jasper High School, Jasper, Indiana. After attending Yale University and the University of Notre Dame, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in general studies (Philosophy) from Indiana University in 1986.

Joe then earned his Master of Arts in Religion degree in 1995 from Iliff School of Theology, Denver; his Provisional Certificate from the Catechetical School, Archdiocese of Denver and his Master's degree in Religious Education in 1998 from Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

His work history was varied but always centered on serving other people. He helped staff a 24-hour crisis hotline as a Crisis Intervention Counselor with Life Crisis Services and counseled people who had attempted suicide with the St. Louis Mental Health Agency. He had a passion for Social work but he found it hard not to talk about the spiritual side – our love for and hope in Christ.

In Denver, Joe ministered as a pastoral counselor with the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Federal Penitentiary. He earned accolades from his supervisor as a Help Desk technician at the Air Reserve Personal Center, managing over 700 computer systems and helping those people who worked on/with them. When we moved to Terre Haute, he helped with the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College from 2005-2008.

Joe is survived by his parents, Bernard and Dorothy Weidenbenner, his wife of 23 years, Diane; his brothers Jim (Debbie), Tom (Janelle) and his sister Lisa Hannan (Billy). He was especially fond of his six nieces and two nephews: his goddaughter Meagan Bone (Josiah) and great nieces Jensyn and Kinsley; Haley; Ryan; Kristin Eckerle (Justin) and great-nephews Liam and Kaiden; Heather Vincz (Josh) and great nephew Luca; and Elizabeth, Jack and Catherine Rose Hannan.

Joe was a strong Catholic Christian and a treasured son, husband, sibling, and friend. He will be known for his integrity, kindness, generosity, dependability, and commitment to God and his family, and even his four-legged children. "He has witnessed spiritual traits that can only come from a life committed to the Gospel," said Fr. J. A. Ascencio, Chaplain.

A Memorial Service will be scheduled at a future time. Memorial contributions can be made to the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods at Donate.SistersofProvidence.org